The traditional route through
Iraq takes airliners down a corridor that runs along the eastern
border of the country. Now, most airlines have chosen to take a
northern route through southern Iran — instead of the southern
course across Syria, which is embroiled in its own civil
conflict.

There are a few major
exceptions to this. Iraqi Airways is of course utilizing the
country's airspace — but so is Etihad, the mega-carrier from the
Gulf emirate of Abu Dhabi. Garuda Indonesia, and even British
Airways flew through Iraq on August 8th.